Sunday, 15 March 2015

16 March 2015

Collects

Prayers
developed from the daily readings

Monday 16
March 2015

Morning
Prayer

Psalm 38

The psalmist is dreadfully ill, so much so that
friends stand a bit further away and people who seek harm spread rumours. The
psalmist stays quiet, trusting God, praying and asking for God’s salvation.

Exodus 1

Four centuries elapse and the Israelites have
multiplied in Egypt and there were more Israelites than indigenous Egyptians.
The new Pharaoh has no appreciation of the God of the Hebrews. He increases the
burden on the people, orders midwives to kill any newborn sons of the Hebrews –
they disobey. Pharaoh orders that all Hebrew male children be killed.

Luke 18: 1 – 14

Jesus explains why we need to pray and keep on praying
by using a parable about a judge and a persistent widow.She persists, he gives in. Our God is more
generous and compassionate, God listens.

Jesus also tells the parable of the Pharisee and the
tax collector. One goes to the temple and prays boastfully, the other repents
his sins and admits his failings. The humble one will be exalted.

Collect for
Morning Prayer

A Pink and GreyThe Eyre Highway SA 2014L Osburn

Holy Lord of compassion and mercy, you listen to and respond
to our fervent prayers when we are sick, oppressed or repentant. Help us
today to bring all our cares and concerns to you, so that we, waiting in faith
may receive your gifts of grace, mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ Your Son and You Holy Spirit in our hearts. Amen.

Monday 16
March 2015

Evening
Prayer

Psalm 39

The psalmist is mortally ill and perceives his illness
to be punishment from God. He decides to be calm and quiet in the presence of
people who would bring him more grief. He asks to know how much time he has
left. Humans are like passing guests, aliens. The psalmist asks for a little
relief so that he can smile before he dies.

Jeremiah 36: 1 – 19

On God’s instruction, Jeremiah dictates all the
prophesies against Judah to Baruch, his secretary who writes them on a single
scroll and reads them in the hearing of everyone at the temple. The aim is to
give the people another opportunity to repent. He is then asked to read it
again to officials at the king’s house in the secretary’s chamber. They ask for
the scroll and tell him to go back to Jeremiah and for both of them to hide.

Hebrews 12: 1 – 11

Since we have had all the examples of faithful people
from the time of Abel, they are like a crowd cheering us on to persevere in our
own race. We look to the finish line: to Jesus and to the joy that comes from
his presence. When things get tough we should consider how tough they were for
Christ. If God disciplines us treat it as training, as preparation for the
parts of the race still to come. Discipline always is uncomfortable but the joy
of achievement outweighs that discomfort.

Collect for
Evening Prayer

Cycling across a continentThe Eyre Highway SA 2014L Osburn

Wonderful loving God, you have enabled the stories of your
people to come to us through the Bible: their prayers and songs to you. Let gratitude
for the gift of your Son fill our hearts and empower us, knowing we are so
loved and forgiven to try again, to start afresh, to see our struggles through
clear eyes so that we skip, sprint and dance then settle again into the
rhythmic stride that will bring us to you through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.